August, 2012

As flamboyant front-man for the James Brown Revue, the “Godfather of Soul” reportedly shed up to 7 pounds in sweat per night as he whirled around stage, theatrically donning and doffing his cape and feigning the occasional heart attack just for effect. He was dubbed the Elvis Presley of R&B by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, racking up an astonishing 114 entries on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and amassing a total of 800 songs in his repertoire – and almost as many honorific titles.

James “Sex Machine” Brown’s transformation of gospel fervour into the explosive intensity of rhythm & blues was to determine musical destiny. Inspired by his golden era of 1965-73, three years ago a group of Bangkok-based expats set about recreating Brown’s revolutionary sound.

“This is a body of work that inspired hip-hop, rap, and funk as we know it today,” says Supabad founder and bass player Mark Bourgeois, the New Zealand-born heart of the band’s rousing rhythm section. “His is certainly a lasting legacy: Prince, Michael Jackson, etc, all trace their roots to James Brown.”

The roots of Supabad, in turn, can be traced back to Bourgeois’ father. “When I was a kid, my dad had one of their records which we used to thrash – Live in Europe, I think it was. The vibe of that record was infectious. “Funky Drummer” and “I Got the Feelin'” are standout tracks. “I Got the Feelin'” was the crossover track from R&B and blues to funk: the first time a band had done this kind of playing.

“Funk is a fusion of many styles: jazz, soul and R&B mixed into danceable rhythms that crossover and interact but can be on completely different paths. Funk is definitely about ‘feel,’ and as white boys we have to work a bit harder at it, but we have a great rhythm section that lays down an excellent platform for our horn section and soloists.”

“Funk is definitely about ‘feel,’ and as white boys we have to work a bit harder at it, but we have a great rhythm section that lays down an excellent platform for our horn section and soloists.”

Work hard they most certainly have. “Funk is kind of an obsession, I guess, and reproducing this act in an authentic way has been a challenge, especially the music for the horn parts. That just isn’t available on the internet or anything. It all had to be scored out from the original recordings.”

Making his debut when Supabad perform at The FCC in June will be new frontman Mike Humble, (former frontman Craig is “hanging up his wig this summer because he’s pulled the splits a few too many times”). “Mike is a respected blues and soul singer here in Bangkok and also plays a mean blues harp. He’s British but has lived and played music in Beijing, the Philippines and Indonesia and has a classic soul voice. Mike has played many gigs in a variety of bad, brightly coloured suits, so he has the wardrobe and the attitude to fill the shoes of James Brown.”

Supabad will also be unveiling a new tenor sax player, Anton Fenech. “Both are part of the Famous Blues Brothers Review Band here, so they’re used to performing in character.”

On the night, fans can expect a mixture of James Brown standards such as “I Got You,” “Sex Machine,” and “Get on the Goodfoot,” as well as some of the more obscure tracks such as “My Thang,” from the “Hell” album, and “Ain’t it Funky Now” from “Jungle Groove.” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” from 1965 will be dedicated, of course, to the purists.

“Fans can expect a high-energy funk show, and they better come ready to shake it…”

Selected works by Ina Spogahn launch German photography series at The FCC Phnom Penh.

German photographer Ina Spogahn spent two months documenting local Buddhist ceremony. “I had the feeling of plunging into a new world, which is a once in a lifetime experience.”

When German television producer Ina Spogahn came to Cambodia to film a documentary and take photographs, she had little intention of displaying her work publicly.

“The pictures she took were for her private pleasure,” says Michael Scholten, a Phnom Penh-based photo-journalist from Germany who will curate a series of monthly photo exhibitions by German photographers (including himself) at the FCC Phnom Penh over the next four months.

But a tuk-tuk accident in Siem Reap left Spogahn with a broken leg, which altered her original travel plans and ultimately redefined the Cambodia that she would soon uncover.

While recovering from the accident, Spogahn befriended Somieng Hoeurn, a monk at Wat Damnak. With a saffron-robed friend as her guide, Spogahn was given an intimate introduction to the incorporeal world of Buddhist ceremony.

“She had access to some interesting places. She’s a great photographer,” Scholten says. “She wanted to show the positive side – the good side – of Cambodia.”

Spogahn embraced the opportunity. “I had the feeling of plunging into a new world, which is a once in a lifetime experience,” she says, adding “I was deeply impressed by the friendliness and excitement of the people while taking pictures.”

Born in Bocholt, Germany, in 1985, Spogahn has worked as a television producer in Berlin since 2005. Her work has also taken her to Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Central America and Africa, where she has made documentaries for German television and other media.

Spogahn’s documentary work in Cambodia looked at Swiss and German charities operating in Cambodia. She produced one project about the SALT Academy in Battambang, founded by Swiss citizen Samuel Schweingruber, and his football playing Mighty Girls.

“There are many beautiful sides to Cambodia, so it is not difficult to show them. The challenge was to show the truth and not create a dream world.”

A 12-minute-long film was broadcast worldwide on Deutsche Welle in Germany in June 2012.

Spogahn also filmed German Colonel Peter Willers with his landmine clearing team in Beng Mealea and German lawyer Dr. Siegfried Zinkeisen, who built a school in Peak Sneng. Her ambition was to make films about foreigners who are investing in Cambodia’s future.

While in Cambodia, she spent more than two months in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong.

“There are many beautiful sides to Cambodia, so it is not difficult to show them,” the photographer says. “The challenge was to show the truth and not create a dream world.”

Spogahn plans to return to Cambodia, however, she won’t be in the Kingdom to see her own photos on display, Scholten says.

“She’s a little sad that she can’t see her own exhibition.”

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